Putting in contact lenses for the first time can feel like a high-stakes surgery, but it's actually way easier than it looks once you get the hang of it. We've all been there—standing in front of the bathroom mirror, eye wide open, wondering why on earth we decided to poke ourselves in the eye on purpose. It's a bit of a learning curve, but once you nail the technique, you'll forget you're even wearing them.
The most important thing to remember is to stay calm. Your eyes have a natural reflex to close when something gets close to them, so you're basically training your brain to ignore a lifelong instinct. It takes a second to get used to, but you'll get there.
Getting your workspace and hands ready
Before you even touch your contact lens case, you have to talk about hygiene. It sounds boring, but it's the most critical step. You don't want any lint, oils, or—heaven forbid—bacteria getting trapped between the lens and your eye.
Start by washing your hands thoroughly with a mild soap. Try to avoid soaps that have heavy perfumes, oils, or lotions in them, as those can leave a film on your hands that transfers right onto the lens. Once your hands are clean, dry them with a lint-free towel. If you use a regular fluffy towel, you'll likely end up with tiny fibers on your fingertips, which will feel like a boulder in your eye once the lens is in. Paper towels are actually a great bet here if you're not sure about your hand towels.
Next, set yourself up in a well-lit area with a mirror. If you're working over a sink, plug the drain. This is a pro tip for beginners. There is nothing more heartbreaking than watching a brand-new contact lens swirl down the pipes because your finger slipped.
Checking the lens (The "Taco Test")
Once you've got your lens out of the pack or the case, flip it onto the tip of your pointer finger. Now, you need to make sure it's right-side out. This is where a lot of people struggle when putting in contact lenses for the first time.
Look at the lens from the side. It should look like a perfect little bowl with edges that curve straight up. If the edges flare out slightly—sort of like a soup plate or a saucer—it's inside out.
Another trick is the "taco test." Gently pinch the lens between your thumb and forefinger. If the edges curve inward like a taco shell, you're good to go. If they curl outward toward your fingers, flip it back. Putting an inside-out lens in won't hurt your eye permanently, but it'll feel scratchy and won't stay centered, which is just annoying.
The actual "putting it in" part
Now for the main event. This is the part that makes everyone a little jittery. The trick is to keep both eyes open. It sounds counterintuitive, but if you squint or close your other eye, your "target" eye is going to want to close too.
Use your non-dominant hand to pull your upper eyelid up. You want to grab it near the lashes and pull it firmly against your brow bone. Use the middle finger of your dominant hand (the one with the lens on the index finger) to pull your lower eyelid down.
Now, look straight ahead or slightly upward—whatever feels more comfortable—and slowly move your index finger toward your eye. You don't need to press hard. In fact, you barely need to touch your eye at all. As soon as the lens touches the moisture on your eye, it'll want to jump off your finger and onto your cornea.
Pro tip: If you're squeamish about touching your pupil, you can look up and place the lens on the white part of your eye (the sclera). Once it's there, you can gently slide it over to the center, or just let it find its way there naturally.
Don't blink just yet!
Once the lens is on your eye, don't just let go and blink immediately. If you do, the lens might just pop right back out or get folded under your eyelid.
Instead, slowly release your lower lid, then slowly release your upper lid. Keep your eye closed for a few seconds or look around in different directions while your eye is closed. This helps the lens settle into place and gets rid of any air bubbles that might be trapped underneath. Now, give a few gentle blinks. If everything feels clear and comfortable, you've done it! If it feels like there's a stray hair in there, you might need to take it out, rinse it with solution, and try again.
What if it feels weird?
It's totally normal for your eyes to feel a little "aware" of the lenses at first. You might feel a slight sensation of something being there, or your eyes might water a bit. This is just your body reacting to a foreign object. Usually, after 10 or 15 minutes, that feeling fades away as your brain starts to ignore the sensation.
However, if you feel a sharp, stinging pain or if your vision is super blurry, something's not right. Most of the time, it's just a tiny speck of dust or the lens is inside out. Take it out, give it a good rinse with contact lens solution (never tap water!), and give it another go.
Taking them out without the panic
Putting them in is one thing, but getting them out is another hurdle. Luckily, it's usually easier. Again, wash and dry your hands first.
Look upward and pull your lower eyelid down. Use your index finger to touch the bottom edge of the lens and slide it down onto the white part of your eye. Once it's away from your pupil, use the pads of your thumb and index finger to gently pinch the lens. It'll fold slightly, making it easy to pull away from your eye.
Whatever you do, don't use your fingernails. You want to use the soft fleshy pads of your fingers. If you have long nails, this takes a bit more practice, but you can use the sides of your fingers to "scissor" the lens out if you have to.
A few golden rules for eye health
Now that you're a budding pro at putting in contact lenses for the first time, there are a few "nevers" you should know about. These keep your eyes healthy and your vision clear.
- Never use tap water: Tap water is full of microorganisms that love to live on contact lenses and can cause serious infections. Only use the specific solution your doctor recommended.
- Don't sleep in them: Unless your eye doctor specifically gave you the "okay" for a certain brand of extended-wear lenses, take them out every night. Your corneas need to breathe oxygen, and lenses act like a bit of a barrier.
- Replace your case: Contact lens cases are breeding grounds for bacteria. Get a new one every three months. Most bottles of solution come with a free case anyway, so just swap it out when you open a new bottle.
- Makeup goes on after lenses: Put your contacts in before you apply makeup, and take them out before you wash your makeup off. This prevents bits of mascara or eyeliner from getting stuck behind the lens.
It might take you five minutes or it might take you fifty on your first try. Don't sweat it. It's a motor skill like any other, and within a week, you'll be doing it in seconds without even thinking about it. Just take a deep breath, keep those lids held wide, and you'll be seeing clearly in no time.